Sailing to Samoa

Stay awhile and explore Samoa’s beautiful outlying islands, many uninhabited, while some are home to small traditional villages. 

Before you arrive at Apia Marina ensuring you are prepared for normal customs and quarantine formalities will make your entry into Samoa as smooth as possible.

Remember the date line

Any visiting yachts approaching Samoa from American Samoa and French Polynesia must be aware that they will cross the international date line.

Samoa sits on the New Zealand side of the line, and crossing it means skipping a day, which may inadvertently lead to you arriving on a weekend or public holiday, when Samoan authorities work limited hours to clear incoming boats.

Before you arrive

Visiting yachts are required to contact the Samoa Port Authority with at least two days’ notice prior to arriving in Apia for immigration, customs, health and quarantine clearance. 

Email: portmaster@spasamoa.ws or spa@spasamoa.ws. One or two hours before entering the harbour, contact the Apia Harbour Master on VHF Ch 16.

Because all visiting yachts to Samoa are considered a high biosecurity risk, skippers must fill in a Master’s Declaration Form at least 24 hours before arrival, and declare all restricted or prohibited biosecurity risk items including food, plants and animal products.

Reference Chart: Approaches to Apia

Reference Chart: Apia Harbour

When you arrive

Before leaving your yacht or bringing visitors on board, you’ll need clearance from Customs, which may be arranged by Port Control on your arrival. 

All people on board must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of their stay to be issued with a 60-day visitor’s permit (30 days for citizens of American Samoa). Anyone intending to stay longer must apply in person at Samoa’s immigration department.

Note that weekend clearance hours are normally only between 3pm and 5pm, and no clearance takes place in the evenings. There's no fee for clearing into Samoa.

You may be required to visit the Immigration office in Apia with your passport. Government offices are normally open on weekdays, 9am to 5pm.

A taxi fare from the marina to Apia’s government buildings costs about WST$5.

Apia Port Information

Samoa’s only official port of entry for international yachts is its capital city Apia, on Upolu.

The Apia Marina has 60 floating berths designed for yachts and motorboats from 20ft upwards, with a small fee for daily anchorage. All berths have 24-hour security, fresh water and electricity. The marina is located very close to the town centre and Samoa’s government buildings, making it a very convenient base for dealing with official entry requirements and exploring the rest of Samoa.

Apia Marina is exposed to strong winds.

Entering the ferry terminal ports of Mulifanua and Salelologa is only allowed with special permission from the Ministry of Transport.

Savai'i anchorage

On Savai’i, you’ll find anchorage at Asau on the north coast.

Cruising Samoa

To anchor anywhere off Samoa, you need to obtain a Cruising Permit from the Samoa Ports Authority. To apply for a permit in advance, write to the Samoa Ports Authority.

For further information, contact the Samoa Ports Authority, phone +685 64400 or fax +685 25870.

When you leave

Before leaving Samoa, you need to sail back to Apia for outward clearance.

Outward clearance must be obtained at the customs office in central Apia, and requires cash payment. Note the office closes at 4pm.